Monday, August 03, 2009

Archbishop apologizes to St. Louis parish

St. Louis Archbishop Robert J. Carlson said the Catholic Church is sorry for the arrest of a St. Raphael the Archangel Catholic Church pastor on sex charges.

Appearing during Saturday's mass at the St. Louis church, the archbishop called for the parish community to heal in the wake of the Rev. James P. Grady's arrest on charges he agreed to pay a 16-year-old girl for oral sex, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reported Sunday.

"I know some of you are hurting, some of you are scandalized, some of you are embarrassed and therefore it is important for me to be with you," Carlson said.

"I come to apologize on behalf of the church and hopefully help you as a parish community to begin the process of healing."

Grady, 57, was arrested Wednesday and Carlson confirmed he suspended the St. Raphael pastor pending the outcome of the case.

The Post-Dispatch said, according to court documents, an undercover investigator arranged the alleged sex deal with Grady through e-mails.

The pastor was arrested by FBI and police officials after arriving at a secret location allegedly to follow through on the illicit rendezvous.
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SIC: UPI